Laughter, tears, a smile, fear, and human emotion in general can be recognized across language barriers. Turns out, so can Dad Jokes.
We all have heard them, the awful jokes and puns we can’t help but laugh at. Sometimes you can’t help but grown or eye-roll, but we all must admit they require a certain amount of finesse. Dad jokes are rich in pun mastery and not everyone can pull that off. Somehow, across oceans, mountains, languages and deserts, Dads are telling the same jokes around the world and we’ve laid them out for you here.
FRENCH:
Why do French people prefer to have small breakfasts?
Because one egg is un oeuf!
Un oeuf means “one egg” in French, and it is pronounced very similarly to “enough” in English.
SPANISH:
Child, in grocery store: “Mira, papí. Soy milk.” (Look, dad. Soy milk.)
Dad: “Hola, Milk. Soy papí.” (Hello, Milk. I’m dad.)
In Spanish, soy is a conjugation of the verb ser meaning “to be” but can also be used as “I am.”
SPANISH:
¿Cómo llama el vaquero a su hija? (How does the cowboy call to his daughter?)
¡Hijaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa! (Daaaaaughter!)
In Spanish, hiiiiiiija (ee-ha) sounds a whole like “yeeeeeee-haw!” Cowboys say “yee-haw” all the time, at least in the movies.
ITALIAN:
Qual è il colmo per un idraulico? (What is the last straw for a plumber?)
Non capire un tubo. (“Not understanding a pipe,” which, in Italian, means not understanding anything.)
Get it? Me neither. But we’ll give it an “A” for effort.
GERMAN:
Was macht ein Clown im Büro? (What does a clown do in the office?)
Faxen. (Meaning “fax,” but also “make trouble” or “fool around”)
Very clever. So clever a dad might even say it.
INDONESIAN:
Who made the best jamu for headache? (Jamu is traditional medicinal drink, usually sold by older ladies)
Ibu Profen (Ibu means Madam in Indonesian)
A pun great enough for any Dad!
DUTCH:
In Dutch the word haai, which sounds like “hi,” means “shark.”
ENGLISH:
Did you hear about the restaurant on the moon?
Great food, no atmosphere.
Atmosphere can refer to the feeling of the room and outer space. Funny!
Although they may not be called “Dad Jokes” around the world, the use and begrudging acceptance of dumb, corny puns is universal. A little word play can go a long way!